Biosorption of pentachlorophenol by fungal biomass from aqueous solutions: a factorial design analysis.

A 2(5-1) fractional factorial design was conducted for the biosorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) using Aspergillus niger biomass. Effects of several factors on the percentage removal of PCP from aqueous solutions were evaluated. These factors were as follows: type of biomass (autoclaved- chemically modified); pH (3-11); concentration (1-10 mgl(-1)); temperature (6-32 degrees C); and dissolved oxygen (2.5-20 mgl(-1)). Time of shaking (equilibrium time), volume of the solution and mass of biomass were kept constant. The results showed that type of biomass and pH had a larger impact on the removal of PCP. Concentration of PCP in the aqueous solution, temperature, and dissolved oxygen only marginally affected the removal efficiency of PCP.